Punjab Private Colleges to Charge Fee from SC Students, Government Fails to Fund Scholarship

Punjab unaided private colleges have decided not to admit students belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) under the category of centrally-sponsored scholarship from the coming session. The reason for taking this step is the failure of the state government to release around Rs. 1,250 crores for the academic sessions 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Under the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) scheme which was launched in the year 2007, SC students of Punjab are granted scholarship ranging from Rs. 230 to Rs. 1,200 per month. These students are also paid back the compulsory non-refundable fees. To avail the benefit of the scholarship, the annual income of the parents of these students should not be more than Rs. 2.5 lakh.

In this centrally-sponsored post-matric scheme, government's contribution is only 10 percent to 15 percent depending upon the course enrolled in. But the Punjab government has not been able to submit the utilisation certificate to the Centre due to which the funds have been delayed.

Also Read: Punjab Technical University Closes Four out of Nine Institutes

Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising 13 associations representing over 1,000 private unaided colleges has urged the state government to release around 440 crores for the academic sessions of 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Anshu Kataria, the action committee spokesperson revealed that nearly 3.15 lakh SC students were admitted in the year 2015-16 and above 3 lakh candidates were enrolled in the year 2016-17 under the scheme. He added that the colleges will not able to enrol more students under the scholarship scheme until funds are released by the government. And in case the funds are delayed, respective students will be charged the designated fee.

Last month, a delegation had met Union Minister Vijay Sampla for the release of funds. According to the sources, the Centre will release Rs. 115 crore while the state government will contribute Rs. 45 crore as a committed responsibility. On this, Kataria said that the amount of Rs. 160 crore will not be enough as the colleges will get only 15 to 20 percent of the total outstanding payments.

Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, the Punjab minister for welfare of Backward Class (BCs) and Scheduled Caste (SCs) informed that the Centre is ready to release the money after they have received the utilisation certificate of the last two academic years. He added that the previous BJP government is responsible for this mess and effort has been made to simplify the scheme.

Also Read: Shiv Nadar University to Introduce Two Specialised Scholarship Programs

The ministry has examined the Centre’s apprehension of the colleges claiming more scholarships.

Below are the details of the pending welfare funds:

• Post-matric Scholarship: Rs. 1,250 crore

• Shagun scheme: Rs. 58 crore

• Pre-matric Scholarship: Rs. 15 crore

• For vocational training in ITIs: Rs. 27 crore